2004 Update of AACR2
Released by ALA in August

This year's update to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2) was released by the American Library Association in August. The Library of Congress has issued its related Rule Interpretations (LCRIs) as well and began implementing the revised rules and applicable LCRIs on September 1. The 2004 update was prepared by the Joint Steering Committee for Revision of Anglo- American Cataloguing Rules (JSC), acting on proposals submitted by members of the cataloging community in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the U.S.

Some of the revisions constitute corrections to the text. Others may have more substantial impact on your workflow, especially if you are cataloging audiovisual material.

For the physical description of sound recordings (MARC field 300), rule 6.5B1 now includes an option to use "a term in common usage to record the specific format of the physical carrier" instead of one of the specific material designations prescribed in the rule. The example given in the option is "1 DVD-audio," which many may consider a better choice than "1 sound disc."

The Library of Congress, however, has issued an LCRI that instructs its staff not to apply this option. Other libraries following LC practice will also follow this LCRI.

A similar option has been included in rule 7.5B1, for the physical description of videorecordings. The example there is "1 DVD-video." The corresponding LCRI emphasizes that LC follows Archival Moving Image Materials and not AACR2, in cataloging all moving image materials. Video catalogers outside of LC are free to apply the option.

Chapter 9, for electronic resources, has several changes. Area 3 of the description has been eliminated. In the past, this had provided for a general statement of the type of electronic resource, in MARC field 256. The only statements permitted were "electronic data," "electronic program(s)," or "electronic data and program(s)." Library of Congress practice had been to not include this area. Now that JSC has removed it from AACR2 itself, no one is to include it. This information may be included in a note (9.7B8) if considered important.

Rule 9.5 now has an option to record a physical description of a remotely available electronic resource, instructing that the term used come either from an appropriate subrule .5B (from one of the chapters in AACR2 Part I) or from common usage. Examples given include "Web site," "sound file," "1 electronic text."

The rule here also allows for other physical details, including file type, to be given ("69 p. : digital, PDF file") in this area, or in a note.

The rule addressing sources of information (1.0A) has been lengthened, including a new subrule, 1.0A3, to explain more fully the concept of "chief source of information." A discussion of the basis of the description has been incorporated here, for single and multipart monographs, continuing resources (both serials and integrating resources) and assembled collections. Rule 1.0H, which had addressed single and multipart items, has been deleted. Many other rule revisions in this update change references from 1.0H to 1.0A3.

Other changes have been made in Chapter 1. Chapter 21 on choice of access points has several changes, most of which concern the treatment of entry decisions for multipart items and continuing resources. Chapters 3, 12 and 22 have also been impacted. If you do not have this latest update to AACR2, you can purchase it from ALA online at www.alastore.ala.org (click on the link to Cataloging and Classification under Browse Catalog).

OCLC members who contribute original cataloging must follow the current rules and LCRIs in preparing bibliographic records. This helps maintain a certain consistency and integrity in WorldCat. If your library does input records into WorldCat, OCLC asks that you familiarize yourself with the revisions and make the updated rules part of your cataloging practice.

The Joint Steering Committee is already considering the 2005 update to AACR2 and has plans to review the first draft of the third edition of AACR in October 2004. AACR3 is expected in 2007.

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February 27, 2008
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